An upward draft
catches Mama’s hem
at forty-first & twelfth
raising it in waves
around her knees & over her thighs
a pink-striped dress
dances like the awning
at Lida’s Cantina
when a man at the corner
clutching a boy’s hand
sees Mama naked
under her flying skirt
& I see he sees
wondering why
she doesn’t hold it down
& he sees me see him
winking
before the light turns green
First Published in _Permafrost_ 28 (Summer 2006) under title of "Second Memory."
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3 comments:
MMm. Beautiful piece. Lovely movement from line to line - great control of breaks.
What wonderful imagery. I have missed reading/hearing your poetry.
A falling and rising quality,
mimics the Mother's skirts in tandem with the daughter's questions. A fine poem.
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